Tusker’s Salary Sacrifice Scheme allows employees to get a new, fully insured and maintained EV at a reduced cost.
For more than 15 years, Tusker has served over 70,000 drivers and boasts the most expansive salary sacrifice car benefits scheme in the UK.
They have a salary-sacrifice clientele of over 1,000 businesses, and, as a pioneering member of the EV100 group of companies, Tusker’s green credentials hold up to scrutiny!
- Free Ohme home charger
- 4,000 free miles of charging
- Intelligent Octopus EV tariff
- Public charging via Octopus Electroverse
- All EV's on the market
- Built-in early termination protection
They have celebrated a carbon-neutral status since 2010, and 2021 marked their evolution into a net carbon-positive contributor to the environment.
Tusker Salary Sacrifice Pros & Cons
Pros
- Broad Vehicle Range
- Environmental Credentials
- Industry Expertise
- Employee Engagement
- Early Termination Risk Management
Cons
- No Website Chat Feature
- Limited EV Charging Add-Ons
Am I eligible for a Tusker Salary Sacrifice?
Businesses of any size can now apply for a Tusker scheme (Tusker previously only took on businesses with over 400 employees).
To be eligible for a Tusker salary sacrifice ev car scheme, there are specific criteria employees need to meet.
For the staff, there are two main requirements:
- Employees must possess a full UK driving license.
- After the salary sacrifice is deducted, the employee’s take-home pay must be above the national minimum wage.
Tusker provides a National Living Wage calculator to help employees check if their salary after the sacrifice will meet the National Living Wage requirements.
Tusker Salary Sacrifice features at a glance
| Contract | Contract hire agreement |
| Minimum term | 24 months |
| Early terminiation details | Tusker allows you to return the car within three months of the delivery without fees for unexpected situations like resignations, retirements, or redundancies. For parental changes, lease costs are covered up to £500/month if ordered before significant life events. Tusker covers termination charges for long-term sickness, medical license loss, or severe circumstances like death or terminal illness. For decisions within employee control, such as driving convictions or career breaks, the employee might bear termination fees. |
| Deposit required | No deposit is required |
| Charging add-ons | No charging add-ons available |
| Number of models available | Tusker can access EVs from every leading manufacturer, but the available selection for individuals is based on scheme settings set by their employer. |
| Whats included? | Tusker offers routine servicing and wear and tear maintenance, combined with replacement EV tyres. Fully comprehensive insurance is provided and there's accident management to support you in the event of an accident. Additionally, whether you're travelling within the UK or exploring Europe, the UK & European Breakdown Cover provided by Tusker has you covered. Tusker also offers exclusive fleet discounts and competitive corporate rates. |
| Car purchase option | You have 3 options at the end of your Tusker agreement: Switch vehicles: Order a fresh model; your new car is delivered as the current one is collected. Return the vehicle: End the agreement and return the car to Tusker. Buy the car: Tusker will sell it for its current market value. |
| Trust Pilot Rating | 4.4 (November 2023) |
| Pros | Broad Vehicle Range Environmental Credentials Expertise Employee Engagement Risk Management |
| Cons | No Website Chat Feature Limited EV Charging Add-Ons |
| Eligibility | Business of any size can now apply to Tusker. Employees need a full UK driving license. Post-salary sacrifice, take-home pay must be above the national minimum wage. |
| Delivery cost | Free delivery |
| Customer support | Tusker's customer support can be reached via dedicated phone lines: General queries (0333 400 2020), car selection (0333 400 7431), and scheme setup (0333 400 1010). They're open from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays; no email or chat support is currently available. |
| Lead time | 4-6 weeks |
| Salary Sacrifice | Tukser specialises in salary sacrifice schemes, offering employees access to new, fully-insured, and maintained vehicles by allocating a portion of their pre-tax salary each month |
Tusker Salary Sacrifice full review
Tusker’s Salary Sacrifice Scheme is a robust, eco-friendly option for eligible businesses. Their 15 years in the business and a clear focus on eco-friendly practices, make them an option for EV drivers who want to be environmentally friendly and still enjoy one of the best EV salary sacrifice products in the UK.
What’s included with Tusker?
Routine Servicing and Wear and Tear Maintenance
Keep your electric vehicle in top condition with regular check-ups and services that cover normal wear and tear.
Fully Comprehensive Insurance
Using Tuskers comprehensive insurance means no need for a separate insurance arrangement.
UK & European Breakdown Cover
Whether you’re driving locally or off on your hols on a European adventure, Tusker provides breakdown cover for electric cars to help with any unexpected issues.
Replacement EV Tyres
You don’t need to worry about the expenses or the hassle of getting your electric car tyres replaced.
Accident Management
Accidents can be stressful. With Tusker’s accident management, you’re guided through every step, so issues should be resolved with less hassle.
Fleet Discounts
If you are a large business you can benefit from exclusive fleet discounts.
Corporate Rates
Tusker offers attractive corporate rates, passing on the benefits to you.
Can I purchase the car at the end of a Tusker agreement?
At the end of your Tusker agreement, you have the flexibility to choose from three options:
- Switch vehicles to a new car
If you’re looking to drive the latest model or wish to switch vehicles, you can just order a new car. As your new vehicle is delivered, your current one will be collected! - Vehicle return
If you decide that you no longer need the car you can return the car to Tusker. - Purchase the car
If you want to buy the car, Tusker will sell it to you for its current market value.
Tusker early termination protection
Tuskers early termination protection does a pretty good job of dealing with the unpredictability of life and its potential impact on long-term commitments like car leases.
Tusker’s Lifestyle Protection offers a safety net to businesses and their employees:
Unpredictable workplace situations
Whether due to resignations, redundancies, retirements, or TUPE situations (like mergers or acquisitions), Tusker’s Lifestyle Protection allows a car to be returned three months after delivery without any termination fees. However, if the car is delivered less than three months before an individual departs from the company, the organisation is liable for the lease.
Parental changes
If a new car is ordered over three months before the employee’s due date or adoption approval, Tusker covers the lease cost up to £500 per month.
This provision ensures parents can maintain their vehicle while on reduced salary due to parental leave. Tusker will send monthly lease invoices, but once the employee resumes work, employers can claim back up to £500 per month for a year, reducing overall costs.
Medical and personal challenges
In circumstances like long-term sickness, loss of license on medical grounds, or even more severe circumstances like death or terminal illness. Tusker will cover the early termination charge.
However, for scenarios where the employee has control, like driving convictions or voluntary career breaks, the employee may be held responsible for termination fees.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Tusker does not ask for an upfront deposit. Instead, the first payment is deducted from the driver’s salary in the month that the vehicle is delivered.
EV Charging add-ons with Tusker
Tusker does not provide any EV charging add-ons or public charging packages. This means that new owners need to make separate arrangements to install an EV charger.
Many EV salary sacrifice schemes we’ve examined offer some form of charging solution or package. So this seems like a bit of a gap for Tusker, both Octopus EV and elmo offer a premium integrated charging solution.
What EVs do Tusker offer?
Tusker has a vast array of vehicle choices, they claim they can access cars from every leading manufacturer in the UK.
However, the range of cars immediately available to an employee is influenced by their specific scheme settings.
These settings are often determined by the employer, aligning with organisational policies, budgetary considerations, or other criteria. Given the employer may be stuck with the vehicle contract in the event an employee leaves, they may put specific policies in place to limit access to the full range of Tuskers fleet.
Tusker customer service options
Here are your options for getting in touch with Tusker:
General Assistance: Dial the Driverline at 0333 400 2020 for comprehensive support.
Vehicle Selection Guidance: For help in choosing the right car, contact 0333 400 7431.
Scheme Setup Queries: If you’re starting a new scheme with Tusker, call 0333 400 1010.
While Tusker offers these 3 dedicated phone lines, their offices and customer service are only open from 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
How will Tusker support my employees?
Tusker is equipped with a dedicated marketing team exclusively for their car benefit schemes. This team will collaborate closely with your organisation to help develop communication for your employees.
Here’s what you can expect from Tusker’s marketing and communications support:
Communication Planning
A complimentary dedicated marketing and communications expert will be your guiding hand. They will meticulously craft and execute a pre-launch, launch, and post-launch communication blueprint. The objective? A seamless scheme introduction, sustained month-on-month participation growth, and comprehensive reach to all employees.
Tailored Outreach
Different sections of your business might need distinct communication styles. Tusker can tailor their communication to cater to various target groups.
Comprehensive Marketing Support
The breadth of marketing aids Tusker can offer is pretty extensive:
- Physical outreach through posters & leaflets.
- Digital connection via emailers and content for newsletters/intranet sites.
- Payslip attachments for succinct information dissemination.
- Engaging and informative Virtual Roadshows and webinars.
- Regular bi-monthly campaigns to promote the scheme and keep it at the forefront of your employees’ minds.
What Tusker Salary Sacrifice does well
Broad Vehicle Range
Tusker provides access to cars from all leading manufacturers, though availability may vary based on employer-set scheme settings.
Environmental Credentials
Tusker has been carbon neutral since 2010 and became net carbon positive in 2021.
Expertise
With over 15 years in the industry, Tusker offers a wealth of experience, ensuring a seamless process for both employers and employees.
Employee Engagement
Tusker provides comprehensive marketing and communication support to businesses, ensuring a successful launch and continual engagement.
Risk Management
The Lifestyle Protection safeguards employers from potential early termination costs due to unforeseen employee circumstances.
Where Tusker Salary Sacrifice falls short
No Website Chat Feature
Tusker doesn’t offer email or chat support, making it less convenient for some users who prefer not to pick up the phone.
Limited EV Charging Add-Ons
Tusker doesn’t currently offer EV charging add-ons.
How do I apply for a Tusker Salary Sacrifice?
- Choose Your Ideal Car
Begin by selecting the EV you want from the Tusker site. Whether you’re interested in an electric vehicle, an SUV, or a hatchback, Tusker offers a variety of options from all leading manufacturers. Customize your choice by selecting the spec, and any other features or options you’d like to include. - Employer’s Approval
After submitting your car request and signing the necessary on-screen paperwork, Tusker will notify your employer for review. Your employer will then ensure the order meets all required criteria. Once everything is verified and approved, the process moves to the next step. - Car Delivery
Your selected car is ordered from the factory and built to your precise specifications. The timeframe for this depends on the chosen vehicle. - Ongoing Support
For any needs or inquiries post-purchase – be it breakdown services, accident management, service bookings, MOTs, repairs, or questions about the scheme – there’s a dedicated 24/7 helpline available, ensuring you’re continually supported by Tusker.
The final word on Tusker Salary Sacrifice
Tusker’s Salary Sacrifice Scheme stands out with its expansive selection from leading manufacturers. However, remember that the availability you will get with Tusker is contingent on scheme settings decided by employers.
The company’s eco-conscious approach, especially its carbon neutrality and advocacy for green driving, is impressive and fits well with the EV ideology.
- Free Ohme home charger
- 4,000 free miles of charging
- Intelligent Octopus EV tariff
- Public charging via Octopus Electroverse
- All EV's on the market
- Built-in early termination protection
Help if you’re struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases
Late payments on car subscriptions or leases can lead to financial difficulties. If you find yourself struggling with debt from car subscriptions or leases, it is essential to seek professional guidance. Several debt advice services can help:
- StepChange: StepChange offers debt management plans tailored to your situation
- Citizens Advice: Offering free and confidential advice on managing debts.
- National Debtline: National Debtline is a helpline specifically designed to assist with personal debt, including car subscription or lease obligations.
- MoneyHelper (formerly The Money Advice Service): Providing tools and support to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Remember, the terms of car subscriptions and leases can vary significantly, so it’s really important to read and understand your specific agreements and obligations.
Tusker review methodology
At Electric Car Guide, our review of Tusker was conducted with impartiality and an in-depth understanding of what electric car users value. Here’s how we worked through our evaluation:
- Customer Feedback from Electric Car Guide: We surveyed users from our EV focus group. These insights offered us a firsthand view of real-world experiences and salary sacrifice expectations, allowing us to frame our review around actual user needs and preferences.
- Reviews: We took into account both positive and negative reviews from Trustpilot. This provided a balanced perspective, acknowledging the praises and criticisms Tusker has received from a diverse range of customers.
- Comparison with Competitors: We compared Tusker’s features, offerings, and customer experience against their nearest competitors in the electric car subscription market. This enabled us to gauge Tusker’s standing in the industry, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
